The US Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to snack manufacturer Frito-Lay on November 24 chiding the company for violations that were discovered during inspections of two of the company’s production plants this September. The inspections were carried out after several lots of potato chips were recalled for undeclared milk allergen.

The allergen was found in Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips manufactured at the firm’s Bakersfield, CA plant and Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips made at its facility in Vancouver, WA because an incorrect seasoning was used during production. FDA inspected the Bakersfield site from September 21-25 and the Vancouver facility from September 16-29.

Inspectors found violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Human Food regulation (CGMP & PC Rule), Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 117 (21 CFR Part 117).

Both plants received an FDA 483, Inspectional Observations following the visits. In response, Frito-Lay carried out a number of corrective actions, including the implementation of new seasoning application preventative control at the Bakersfield and Vancouver plants.

To view the full text of the FDA’s warning letter, click here.